Template positioning means for gages



Oct. 21, 1969 M. A. HERMAN $473,231

TEMPLATE POSITIONING MEANS FOR GAGES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1966 INVENTOR. MARTIN ANDREW HERMAN ATTYS Oct 1959 M. A. HERMAN 3,473,231

TEMPLATE POSITIONING MEANS FOR GAGES Filed 001;. 25. 1966 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 I 1 g; NW l 20 G a9 33 34 FIG.5 [20 *='1= a! E! 2 lg 1| {PM J INVENTOR. MARTIN ANDREW HERMAN ATTYS.

United States Patent "ice 3,473,231 TEMPLATE POSITIONING MEANS FOR GAGES Martin Andrew Herman, 11606 Edgewater Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Filed Oct. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 589,324 Int. Cl. G011) 3/14 US. Cl. 33-174 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The template positioning means includes a template bracket positionable in a gage wherein a template is pivotally secured to the template bracket. Lock means are provided to secure the template in operative position and are releasable to permit pivotal movement of the template.

This invention relates to gages of the universal style as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,964,850 and particularly relates to a novel and improved pivotally positioned template especially adapted for use in gages of the type disclosed in and covered by said United States letters Patent.

Heretofore, quite a few of the so-called universal or guillotine style gages of the general type shown in US. Patent No. 2,964,850 have been provided for gaging a number of different articles such as jet blades, buckets or other articles such as are used in jet turbines, and wherein the article being engaged may have quite a varied contour at different longitudinal sections of the article being gaged. In some instances, these jet turbine blades, buckets or similar articles have had a relatively high degree of twist or curvature therein at different sections thereof. In such relatively twisting or curving blades, naturally it has been relatively diflicult to provide suitable adjustments in the gage to permit easy or convenient insertion of the article being gaged into the gage means because the templates for gaging the article would necessarily have to be separated from each other some appreciable distance so as to open up the gage for receipt of the test specimen.

Some gages made heretofore have been of a relatively large size and have been quite bulky and heavy because the gage has to be of such a size as to permit desirable movement of the test templates for receiving and/or discharging the test specimen.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for positioning templates in gages and wherein the gage and the templates positioned therein are characterized by the fact that relatively small, compact, lightweight, inexpensive gages can be used for receiving a variety of test specimens therein, regardless of the longitudinal twisting or curvature of such specimens.

Another object of the invention is to position templates pivotally onto template brackets or slide plates which can be positioned in a gage as shown in US. Patent No. 2,964,850 or other known gages in conventional manners.

A further object of the invention is to permit the templates in gages to be swung out of operative position into substantially perpendicular relationship to its mounting means even though the template is positioned at an appreciable angle other than perpendicular to its mounting means for gaging action.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide improved means for gaging test Specimens having appreciable twists or variations in cross section at different longitudinal portions thereof.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

3,473,231 Patented Oct. 21, 1969 Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gage of known construction and which has templates positioned therein by means forming one embodiment of the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one template and its associated template bracket, as shown in FIG. 1, but with the template being in inoperative position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 33, but enlarged, of the template and template bracket and associated means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan View of the template bracket of FIGS. 1 through 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the template bracket of FIG. 4.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawing and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

In general, the present invention, as to one embodiment thereof, comprises a combination in a gage including means for positioning a template bracket or the like, a template bracket engaging said means, a template supported on said template bracket, means pivotally securing said template to said template bracket, and a lock means engaging said template when operatively positioned to retain it in such position.

Particular attention now is directed to the details of the structures shown in the accompanying drawing, and a gage of the invention is indicated as a whole by the numeral 10. Such gage 10 includes any suitable support base 10a such as the general style of a base shown in Patent No. 2,964,850, and to which base a plurality of uprights or posts 11 are suitably secured to be accurately positioned thereby. These posts 11 are adapted to receive and position at desired vertical locations thereon, one or more cartridges indicated as a whole by the numeral 12. Each of these cartridges 12 preferably is secured to and extends between a pair of the posts 11, 11 as by end blocks 13 and 14 and suitable attachment bolts, cap screws, set screws, or the like 15. Each of these cartridges 12 slidably receives a template bracket or plate 16 therein and normally slidably positions it for movement on a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis extending between a pair of the adjacent posts 11, 11 to which the particular cartridge 12 is secured. These template brackets, or slides 16 are positioned by means, such as a pair of gibs 17 and 18, that are secured to each of the cartridges 12, as by screws 19, or equivalent means.

FIGS. 3 through 5 of the drawings best show that the template brackets 16 preferably are made primarily from flat metal plates of uniform thickness throughout except that the template brackets 16 each have an elevated inner or operative end section 20. The end section or portion 20 is spaced laterally from the margins of the template bracket a distance whereby such end portion 20 is of such thickness as to have its upper surface higher than the adjacent portions of the gibs 17 and 18 by which the template bracket 16 is slidably engaged.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that templates 21 and 22 are each pivotally associated with and secured to a template bracket 16, or 16a, respectively, by a suitable cap screw, bolt, rivet, or equivalent member 23, as best shown in FIG. 3. The templates 21 and 22 are provided with opposed gaging surfaces indicated at 24 and 25, respectively, which, when the templates 21 and 22 are operatively positioned, normally will be closely adjacent each other but will be spaced from each other, as shown in FIG. 1. Obviously such gaging surfaces 24 and 25 are preformed accurately complementary to the required contour of the test specimen to be gaged in the gage and naturally, with the gaging surfaces 24 and 25 being accurately formed for gaging such test specimen at a predetermined longitudinal portion or section thereof determined by the location of the test specimen in the gage 10 and by the relative positioning of the catridges 12 positioning the template brackets 16 and 16a in the gage. The test specimen can be secured in the gage in any suitable manner.

FIG. 3 of the drawings best shows that the head or shoulder on the screw 23, indicated at 26, engages the upper surface of its associated template 21 and preferably usually the screw 23 extends through a hole 27 provided in the template and into a counterbored hole 28 formed in the template bracket 16. Thus, a washer 29 may be carried by the lower end of the screw 23 and the washer can be secured to such screw by any conventional members, such as a headed screw 30 that engages a tapped portion of a bore provided in the screw 23 whereby the screw 23 and associated means will snugly engage the template 21 to secure it in a pivotal manner to the template bracket 16 and position the template on the upper surface of the template bracket. It will be seen that the template has a flat surfaced back, or outer section 31 thereon extending away from the gaging surface 24 of the template whereby such flat back section 31 on the template is adapted to have good bearing engagement with the associated flat upper surface of the end portion of increased thickness provided on the template bracket 16. Each of the templates 21 and 22 has a straight, flat, usually vertically extending edge surface 32 provided thereon spaced from the screw receiving hole 27 and which surface 32 is positioned to engage with a flat vertical surface 33 provided on a stop or pin or stud 34. The stud 34 is suitably secured to the template bracket 16 as by being received in a hole formed therein and being locked in a fixed position in such hole in the template bracket by a set screw 35. Thus, pivotal movement of the template in one direction can be accurately controlled and hence the operative gaging position for the template can be exactly determined by bringing the edge surface 32 into engagement with the stud 34, as shown in FIG. 1. So as to lock the template into operative position, suitable lock means such as a lock arm 36 is pivotally secured to the end section or portion 20 of the template bracket 16 by a member, such as rivet or stud 37. A spring 38 engages the lock arm 36 and connects to a pin or support 39 carried by the template bracket 16 so as to move such lock arm 36 normally into engagement with a locking shoulder or edge surface 40 provided on the template 21 at a vertical edge portion thereof remote from the gaging surface 24 of the template. Hence, the lock arm 36 is so designed and constructed in relationship with the edge surface 40 of the template that the template is locked into an exactly predetermined, accurate gaging position when the lock arm is brought into engagement with the template so as to force it against the stud 34, as indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Usually the lock arm 36 has a little control pin or handle 41 suitably secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom whereby the lock arm can be conveniently engaged to be swung out of operative engagement with the template 21 so that the template can be moved to an inoperative position, as shown in FIG. 2. The spring 38 may engage such handle 41. Naturally, one or both of the templates 21 and 22 can be positioned in the manner described depending upon whether or not it is necessary to move one or both of such templates out to an inoperative position for admission of a test specimen into the gage 10, or for removal of such specimen therefrom.

The template bracket 16 can have any suitable locater means or gaging or control surface or member provided thereon as is desired. For example, a stop lug 42 is shown on the template bracket 16 and it can be brought into engagement with any suitable member for accurately locating the template bracket 16 on its carrier cartridge 12.

Such template bracket 16 requires only very little or no sliding movement in its positioning means.

The gage of the invention can have any conventional reference points and gaging surfaces or areas provided thereon for determining the positioning of the cartridges 12 or other means used to position the template carrier or bracket, and templates 21 or 22 in the gage for proper test action.

It will be seen that the templates used in the gages usually are relatively of an elongate nature and protrude appreciably laterally beyond the margins of the template bracket. Taking any portion of such template as having a center axis extending longitudinally thereof, it will be seen that the templates frequently are positioned so that such longitudinal axis is at an appreciable angle, other than perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis or axis of movement of the template bracket. However, when the template is inoperatively positioned, then its longitudinal axis normally would be positioned substantially perpendicular to such other axis. It also will be seen that one portion of the template, when operatively positioned. does extend or is inclined in the general direction towards one of the support columns or posts 11 in the gage so that with normal retraction movement of the template bracket in the gibs 17 and 18 at least one rear edge portion of the template may move, upon short movement of the template and template bracket combination, into contact with the support post or column and limit further retraction of the template so that the gage in effect could not be opened very far. However, by use of the novel and improved means of the invention, the templates can all be swung easily and rapidly to inoperative positions for test specimen receipt or discharge, as desired.

It will be realized that any desired type of cartridge. support or equivalent means 12 can be provided for engagement with a template bracket 16 or 16a to locate such template bracket accurately, usually, for sliding movement to and from operative positions in the gage. The template brackets may be of any suitable construction and shape.

The lock means provided in the apparatus of the invention may be of any desired nature for locking or securing the templates 21 and 22 in operative position when, for example, one portion of the template is brought into engagement with the flat surface 33 provided on the stud 34 or other equivalent stop means used in the apparatus. Preferably such lock means comprise the lock arm and associated means as shown, but other members, such as a suitable lock pin that is adapted to be snugly received in a pair of apertures or holes provided in portions of the template bracket 16 and template, and which apertures come into vertical alignment when the template is operatively positioned, could be used. In all events, a second stop means is provided and it may be of the type that could be removably positioned in vertically aligned apertures in the template and template bracket for operative use of the gage and associated means. The stud .34 may even be omitted.

From the foregoing, it is believed clear that the invention has provided a novel and improved means for positioning templates in gages whereby a relatively compact, small, lightweight and relatively inexpensive gage can be provided for gaging any of a number of test specimens therein. These test specimens may have appreciably varied longitudinal contours or twists at various longitudinal portions thereof and still be readily accepted by the gage for test action. Obviously any number of the cartridges 12 or other means can be supported on the posts 11 or other means for gaging action whereby a complete check is made of every test specimen inserted into the gage 10 for gaging action. Thus, it is believed that the objects of the invention have been realized.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention 5 may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a gage including means for positioning a template bracket or the like, the combination of a template bracket engaging said means,

a template having at least one gaging surface,

means pivotally securing said template to said template bracket,

a lock means for operatively engaging a portion of said template and of said template bracket to secure said template in operative position, and

a stop secured to said template bracket and extending therefrom, pivotal movement of said template in one direction to an operative position being limited by said stop, said lock means being engageable with said template when said template bears on said stop.

2. In a gage as in claim 1 where said template bracket is slidably positioned and is flat, said template bracket being thicker at one end than at the other end and being of sufiicient thickness at said thicker end to extend above said means, said pivotal means securing said template to said thicker end of said template bracket so that it positions said template above the top of said means that slidably engage said template bracket, said template extending laterally beyond said means but being above the same whereby said template will not interfere with normal sliding movement of said template bracket in said means.

3. In a gage as in claim 1 Where said lock means comprises a lock arm pivotally carried by said template bracket and movable to engage said template to retain it in operative position, and a spring biasing said lock arm to operative position.

4. In a gage as in claim 1 where said stop has a fiat surface thereon and said template has a corresponding fiat surface thereon, said fiat surfaces being operatively engaged when said template is operatively positioned.

5. In a gage including a plurality of parallel supported posts, individual cartridge means secured to two opposed support posts, means on said cartridges to en age, slidably, a template bracket, the combination of individual template brackets engaging each of said means and movable on a common axis towards and away from each other,

a pair of templates each having at least one gaging surface,

means pivotally securing at least one of said templates to an individual one of said template brackets, the other said template being secured to the other of said template brackets, and

a pair of means for and engageable With the pivotally secured one of said templates to secure it in a fixed operative position on its said template bracket, said templates being adapted to receive an article to be gaged therebetween,

said templates extending from said template brackets with their center axes at angles other than perpendicular to the axis of movement of said template brackets when said templates are operatively positioned, but where said one of said templates can be moved to an inoperative position With its center axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of said template brackets to facilitate placing an article in or removing it from said gage.

6. In a gage as in claim 5 Where both of said templates are pivotally secured individually to individual ones of said template brackets, and

a pair of means are provided for and engageable with each of said templates to secure them in fixed operative positions on the said template brackets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,886,300 11/1932 Oslund. 2,546,532 3/ 1951 Wade. 2,7 37,726 3/ 1956 Christiansen. 2,964,850 12/ 1960 Herman.

SAMUEL S. MATTHEWS, Primary Examiner 

